Handling Change

My friend, Megan, started experiencing anxiety in her freshman year of college. Her anxiety isn’t rooted in the academic side like mine or Kara’s, but it’s still an very valid form that college students are facing.

“In the beginning of college I got really wrapped up in what strangers 0n the street thought of me. It made it really hard to go places by myself.”

When we go off to college we’re starting a new part of our lives. We’re in a new place, around new people, and are meant to make new friends. For some of us that task alone is hard enough, but if you add social anxiety into the mix it’s nearly impossible.

Having social anxiety makes it hard to do the things we’re “supposed” to do in college. It’s hard to try and make new friends and hunt down new experiences if you can’t go up to a person without having the immense fear that they are judging you and not liking you instantly.

Megan’s social anxiety affected more than just her social life as well. It started to creep into her school life too. If she missed a discussion or lecture she’d have such a hard time going to the next one. She was worried that all the people in that class would have noticed that she was gone and would think that she was lazy or didn’t care. This is when it really started to affect her life.

As Megan’s problems worsened she sought out help. She started going to a group therapy for her social anxiety which really helped out. Megan also now sees a therapist once a week, and loves it.

While Megan may still be sorting through her problems, she feels like she’s been making positive improvements in her life. She knows it isn’t something that can happen quickly, but isn’t going to give up. Even though life can seem to really suck sometimes because a lot of bad things happen.

Megan’s biggest advice is to seek out help and try and get a therapist. She said she really likes it because it helps her get a different perspective on her thoughts.

The last thing Megan has to say about anxiety is, “Anxiety sucks.”

I think we can all agree with you there, Megs.

The biggest thing I’ve learned from talking about my anxiety and talking with my friends is that we all are facing different battles. I’ve also learned that it’s important to talk.

When we talk we get the things that have been bottled up for too long out, and it feels amazing to get those things out.

While all of our anxieties differ slightly from one another we all agree on one thing: get help.

If you’re feeling stressed out and finding no relief to it you don’t need to struggle alone. Talk to your friends. Call your parents. Maybe admit you need more help and seek out a counseling center or a therapist.

Here at Marquette our counseling center has their own website which can be found here: http://www.marquette.edu/counseling/index.shtml. They have a list of common concerns with symptoms. To schedule an appointment you can call the phone number listed on their website or walk into their office on the 2nd floor of Holthuson Hall.

College is a hard time, and everyone knows that. It’s okay to crack and show weakness. We all break sometimes. Just never forget to help yourself.